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What is Mental Retardation?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Mental retardation is a condition marked by intellectual and developmental delays. This means a person functions at an intellectual or developmental level that is considered lower than normal. A person with this condition often has difficulty learning and performing basic tasks associated with daily living. A diagnosis of mental retardation doesn’t mean a person cannot learn, however. Instead, it means the person will probably need special help learning and reaching developmental milestones.

An individual is typically diagnosed with mental retardation before he reaches 18 years of age. Often, family members begin to suspect intellectual and developmental delays when a child reaches certain milestones at a slower-than-typical rate. For example, a child may be slower to develop motor skills than other children his age. He may take longer than usual to roll over or sit up. In some cases, a child may fail to develop some motor skills altogether.

Individuals with mental retardation may possess distinguishable facial features.
Individuals with mental retardation may possess distinguishable facial features.

In addition to the slow development of motor skills, a child with mental retardation may be slow to develop language and daily living skills. He may, for example, be incapable of brushing his own teeth or feeding himself. He may also have difficulty talking, start talking much later than other children his own age, or seem incapable of forming recognizable words at all. He may also have trouble adapting to change.

Mental retardation may be caused by insufficient oxygen for a baby during childbirth.
Mental retardation may be caused by insufficient oxygen for a baby during childbirth.

It can be difficult to pinpoint what causes a person to have developmental and intellectual disabilities. Before a baby is born, his mother may develop infections that lead to retardation. Prescription medications, illegal drugs, and alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to retardation as well. Sometimes a genetic abnormality causes the condition.

Among the problems that can lead to mental retardation after pregnancy are insufficient oxygen for the baby during childbirth and the development of a serious infection during infancy. The cause doesn’t always present itself early in life, however. A serious head injury can lead to retardation at any age.

People with mild mental retardation may have impaired motor skills.
People with mild mental retardation may have impaired motor skills.

In cases of severe mental retardation, children may be diagnosed at a very young age because the symptoms are so obvious. When a child is only mildly retarded, however, his symptoms may not be diagnosed until he has begun to attend school or even later. If family members and doctors suspect mental retardation, a doctor typically uses developmental screening tests to diagnose it. Unfortunately, there is no cure. Instead, treatment usually focuses on special education techniques designed to help a developmentally disabled person to learn and develop.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

jkvenus

My child is 11 years old and has suffered from mild abnormality since birth. She has delayed development in physical and mental levels. All tests have been done and her IQ test is above 70 percent.

Can anyone cure my child?

anon246781

I must admit that, as the mother of a gorgeous seven week old son with trisomy 21, I find the word retarded offensive. I'm glad most people are not ignorant enough to use it these days!

showered72

Over time, the preferred nomenclature for mental deficiency has changed drastically. The once popular term "retarded" is now being replaced by "special" and "challenged." In addition, many people currently refer to this condition as a "developmental delay" to avoid being offensive by directly mentioning a handicap or disability.

pistachios

Mental retardation is often caused by Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome.

Mental retardation can also be caused by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome.

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    • Individuals with mental retardation may possess distinguishable facial features.
      By: muro
      Individuals with mental retardation may possess distinguishable facial features.
    • Mental retardation may be caused by insufficient oxygen for a baby during childbirth.
      By: Olesia Bilkei
      Mental retardation may be caused by insufficient oxygen for a baby during childbirth.
    • People with mild mental retardation may have impaired motor skills.
      By: Gang
      People with mild mental retardation may have impaired motor skills.
    • Memory problems and short attention spans are common signs of mental retardation.
      By: kmiragaya
      Memory problems and short attention spans are common signs of mental retardation.
    • Some schools are specifically designed to provide for mentally challenged students.
      By: Jaren Wicklund
      Some schools are specifically designed to provide for mentally challenged students.
    • A serious head injury can lead to retardation at any age.
      By: corepics
      A serious head injury can lead to retardation at any age.
    • It can be difficult to pinpoint what causes a person to have developmental and intellectual disabilities.
      By: Miriam Dörr
      It can be difficult to pinpoint what causes a person to have developmental and intellectual disabilities.
    • Expectant mothers who drink alcohol may be putting their unborn child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, which is one of the leading causes of mental retardation in kids.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Expectant mothers who drink alcohol may be putting their unborn child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, which is one of the leading causes of mental retardation in kids.